Device for tabling length of draperies

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses a device for laying out and measuring the length of draperies and pressing in crinoline fabric, wherein the floor area taken up by the device is a small fraction of the area of the drapery. The device has a horizontal planar working table or surface about 2 feet wide and any convenient length. On the back long side of the working surface, a vertical means is disposed to define a vertical surface intersecting the working surface, preferably at right angles. The vertical means has at least two spaced endless chains, each engaging a sprocket located a convenient distance above the working surface and each engaging another sprocket disposed therebelow, so that each chain has a portion that moves vertically substantially within the vertical surface. The chains are moved at the same speed, both up and down, by suitable means. To both chains a clamping bar is secured to move up and down therewith, and parallel with the working surface. The clamping bar has means for securing the hemmed straight edge of a piece of cloth, so that the cloth is lifted thereby with its lower portion resting on the working surface. When the straight edge is given height above the working surface, a keeper rod is laid at the apex of the formed right angle to steady the cloth so that it can be measured, cut and hemmed at the required dimension. Preferably, the keeper rod is mounted to rotate about a horizontal axis located below the table, so that the bar is stowed conveniently when not in use.

United States Patent 1191 Russel Sept. 30, 1975 [54] DEVICE FOR TABLINGLENGTH OF DRAPERIES Donald R. Russel, 1550 Sansinena Ln., La Habra,Calif. 90631 [22] Filed: Apr. 1, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 456,662

[76] Inventor:

Primary E.raminerPatrick D. Lawson Attorney, Agent, or Firm-DominickNardelli [57] ABSTRACT This invention discloses a device for laying outand measuring the length of draperies and pressing in crinoline fabric,wherein the floor area taken up by the device is a small fraction of thearea of the drapery.

The device has a horizontal planar working table or surface about 2 feetwide and any convenient length. On the back long side of the workingsurface, a vertical means is disposed to define a vertical surfaceintersecting the working surface, preferably at right angles. Thevertical means has at least two spaced endless chains, each engaging asprocket located a convenient distance above the working surface andeach engaging another sprocket disposed therebelow, so that each chainhas a portion that moves vertically substantially within the verticalsurface. The chains are moved at the same speed, both up and down, bysuitable means. To both chains a clamping bar is secured to move up anddown therewith, and parallel with the working surface. The clamping barhas means for securing the hemmed straight edge of a piece of cloth, sothat the cloth is lifted thereby with its lower portion resting on theworking surface. When the straight edge is given height above theworking surface, a keeper rod is laid at the apex of the formed rightangle to steady the cloth so that it can be measured, cut and hemmed atthe required dimension. Preferably, the keeper rod is mounted to rotateabout a horizontal axis located below the table, so that the bar isstowed conveniently when not in use.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures US. Patent s t. 30,1975 Sheet 1 of43,908,294

US. Patent se t.30,1975 Sheath 3,908,294

...:l 14 17", 3' ll 16 zngmm U.S. Patent Sept. 30,1975 Sheet4 Of43,908,294

DEVICE FOR TABLING LENGTH OF DRAPERIES FIELD OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to a tabling device whereon a drapery can be trimmed,measured for length and crinoline fabric pressed in along one straightedge and, more particularly, to such a device that is compact, easy tooperate, and allows one to operate on the drapery with minimum handling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When cloth, such as drapery cloth, is to behemmed at opposite edges so that the edges are apart a predetermineddistance, the drapery panels of cloth are first cut to approximatelengths from the bolt, allowing for additional material, to allow one toform the hems. The panels are sewed together and three hems are formedand sewed along three edges. The fourth hem, on the opposite edge shouldnow be formed and sewed. If the width between opposite hems is to beabout 8 feet in height, the cloth is placed on a flat tabling device andone hemmed edge is held fast by convenient means. The opposite unhemmededge is measured to the proper length and the hem is formed of theproper length with the crinoline fabric pressed in place. The hem isheld in place by pinning until sewed on a sewing machine. This is arelatively simple operation. However, when one tries to do it on acommercial scale, time is of the essence. Up to now, tabling deviceswere formed with a clamping bar disposed at one end. The clamping barhas a moveable rod that comes in contact with a fixed plate so that thehemmed edge is disposed therebetween. The rod and plate are pressedtogether by well known means, such as, springs and eccentric cams.

However, this prior art table or tabling device has one drawback in thatthe size of the table should be at least the size of the cloth ordrapery. If it is not, then only a portion or a fraction of the clothcan be hemmed and pinned at a time. When one attempts to make draperieson these prior art tables, one may find that draperies, having a widthof, for example, 40 feet long, require many hemming and shiftingoperations. If one expects to lay out, measure and pin the hem in oneoperation, the table should be at least 40 feet long and the height ofthe drapery. This is uneconomical because an average drapery shop willfind that this table is unusually oversized for the usual requirement ofdrapery sizes. Therefore, up to now, most drapery layout tables weremade about feet wide and about 10 feet long, so that drapes up to 10feet in length could conveniently be made by hemming and shifting thecloth 5 feet at a time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, my invention includes a means forlifting, vertically. the hemmed lower edge of a drapery cloth to apredetermined height. A narrow, horizontal working table or surface isdisposed below the cloth, with the unravelled edge of the hem resting onthe table. An other means includes a rod which is provided to rest onthe cloth and, in turn, on the table, and is disposed at a position sothat when the portion of cloth adjacent the unravelled edge is laidsmooth on the table, the cloth forms a right dihedral angle. The rodholds the cloth steady. Preferably, the means for lifting includes atleast two endless chains. each having a pair of sprockets, one sprocketover the other. The chains carry a clamping bar which moves up and downwhile in a horizontal position. The clamping bar has means for clampingthe hemmed edge of the drapery and lifting it. The means that includesthe rod has, in addition, at least two substantially semicircular bentbars welded to the rod and each semicircular bent bar is formed integralwith a radially directed bar that is mounted for rotation about ahorizontal axis located below and aligned with the working table.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of this invention is to provide atabling device wherein a section of cloth having one hemmed edge can beconveniently laid out, measured and hemmed along the opposite edge inone operation, and the floor area on which the table rests is a fractionof the total area of the cloth section.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tabling device withmeans for raising vertically the hemmed edge of a section of cloth abovethe working surface and with means for keeping the cloth substantiallyat a right dihedral angle with one surface of the cloth resting on thetable.

Another object of this invention is to provide a tabling device with anarrow working surface and with endless chain means disposed on the backside thereof for raising and lowering a clamping bar for clampingtherein the hemmed edge of the cloth.

Another object of this invention is to provide a clamping bar for theabove object wherein pneumatic means are provided to clamp the hemmingedge.

Another object of this invention is to provide a means for the clampingbar of the two previous objects that causes the bar to rotate about ahorizontal axis when the bar is lifted off the working table and whenreturning to the working surface.

These and other objects and features of advantage will become apparentafter studying the following description of the preferred embodiment ofmy invention, together with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of my noveldevice wherein the section shown is repeated as many times as isrequired.

FIG. 2 is a transverse elevation and section of my novel device, shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section of the clamping bar when positioned on theworking surface.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged pictorial in greater detail in the region wherethe clamping bar is secured to the endless chains.

FIG. 5 shows an elevation in section of the clamping bar of FIG. 4 beingraised or lowered to the working surface.

FIG. 6 shows another view of the clamping bar.

FIG. 7 is another transverse elevation, similar to FIG. 2, but showingthe drapery cloth suspended from above the table and the keeper meansposition before the other edge is hemmed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to FIG. 1, my noveldevieeis shown pictorially and disposed against a wall 11. The wall 11and my device extend any required length, as will become apparenthereinafter. A nominal length for my device would be 40 feet, as this isabout the maximum width in which draperies are required to be made.Vertically disposed against the wall 11 are a plurality of spacedchannel-shaped uprights 12 and 12a, extending from a floor 13 to aceiling 14. The uprights are spaced a convenient distance apart, forexample, 10 feet. Within each upright 12 is disposed an endless chain16, each mounted on an upper sprocket 17 and a lower sprocket 18, moreclearly shown in FIG. 2. The upper sprockets 17 are bearing mountedindividually on axles 21, while the lower sprockets 18 are all keyed torotate with a shaft 22. Suitable pillow bearings 23 are provided betweenthe shaft 22 and uprights 12 to allow the shaft 22 to rotate. Rotationof the shaft 22 is caused by an electric motor 25 and gearbox 26, asshaft 22 passes through gearbox 26. In FIG. 2, the shaft 22 is shown tobe schematically coupled by line 26a to the gearbox 26. Suitably fixedto each upright 12 is a bracket, such as bracket 27, which horizontallysupports a working surface or panel 28, which, being like a counter-top,extends about 2 feet from the wall 11, which is sufficiently narrow toallow an operator to reach the back edge, if necessary. To each chain 16is fixed a clamping means 29 in the form of an elongated bar extendingthe length of the working surface 28.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and the clampingmeans 29 and the method forattaching it to the chains 16 is shown in detail. To a convenient linkin the chain 16 there is mounted a pad 31 in a convenient manner. Thepad 31 has an ear 32 extending therefrom to which is pin-connected aU-link 33. Each U-link 33 is suitably welded to a standard extrudedsection having a clamping surface or plate 34 and a boxlike siftersection 35. Another extruded section 36 completes the boxlike structure.These extruded sections are well known in the art. On the top of section35, as viewed in FIG. 3, a plurality of brackets 38 are bolted, asshown, and in this embodiment each has a double bend as it extends overthe surface 34. On each bracket 38 is mounted a standard air cylinder 39having a piston 41 protruding through a hole 42 formed in each bracket38. Each piston 41 is fixed to a pressing bar 43 of standard shape andsize, having a suitable foam surface 44 thereon for gripping cloth, aswill become apparent hereinafter. The pressing bar 43 moves in bothdirections, as indicated by a double-headed arrow 47, whenever the aircylinders are activated or deactivated, respectively. For convenience,the pressing bar 43 is made in about 5- foot sections and therefore theair cylinders connected to that particular section are activated inunison with one air control (not shown). As will become apparenthereinafter, the smaller sections of the pressing bar 43 allow oneoperator, alone, to secure a portion of the cloth at a time, such ascloth 45 (FIG. 2), in the clamping means, thereby preventing the need ofmulti operators. The clamping means 29 has bolted, in addition, on theboxlike stiffener 35, an angle bracket 46 wherein the arm extendingupward (FIG. 3) therefrom is connected to, for example, a nylon rope 49depended from the ceiling 14. The function of the rope 49 willhereinafter be explained.

The device is operated as follows: With the clamping means 29 in theposition as shown in FIG. 2, the drapery or cloth 45 that is folded onthe floor 13 is lifted up by its hemmed edge 51 and pulled across theworking surface 28 in the direction of the arrow 52 until the edge 51 isbetween the pressing bar 43 and clamping surface 34, as shown by thedash lines. Since the bar 34 is of a convenient length, only one personis needed to hold the cloth 45 in place with one hand while the otherhand activates the air valve (not shown) to cause the bar 43to bearagainst the edge 51. This is repeated until the full width of thedrapery is clamped, as shown in FIG. 3. Air pressure is maintained sothat a firm grip is had on the cloth. The motor 25 is started and it, inturn, activates the gearbox 26 so that the shaft 22 is made to rotateclockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2. This causes the sprockets 18 torotateand chain 16 to move. The pad 31 secured thereto rises the U-link 33 andin turn the boxlike stiffener 35. The stiffener 35 first rotatesdownward, counter-clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 2, until the clampingsurface 43 is vertical, and then it rises straight, lifting the draperyor cloth 45, as shown in FIG. 1. When the clamping means 29 rises asufficient height, a means including a keeper rod '54 is positioned, asshown in FIG. 7, so that the cloth forms a right angle or a rightdihedral angle. The rod 54 is preferably square, for obvious reasons,although it could be round. To insure freedom of movement, the workingsurface 28 is spaced a slight amount from the upright 12, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 7, and the rear edge of surface 28 is provided with avertical ledge 56 so that the rod 54 rests thereagainst with the clothin between. In order that the rod 54 can be conveniently handled,because relatively long sections thereof are preferred, although not thefull length of my layout table, I have provided means to allow the rod54to pivot about an axis 57 that is disposed below the working surfaceand aligned therewith, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. FIG. 2 shows the rod54 pivoted to the forward edge of the surface 28. The means includesmore than one substantially semi-circular bent bar 61, wherein one endof each is welded the respective end of the rod 54 and each of the otherends is bent to form radial bars 62. Each other end of bar 62 is made topivot about axis 57 by standard convenient means 63. Now only oneskilled person can form a hem 64 in the edge of the cloth (FIG. 7) in astandard manner. After the hem 64 is formed and pinned, and the rod 54is pivoted out of the way to the position shown in FIG. 2, the clampingmeans 29 is lowered. Now, when the clamping means 29 approaches thetable, the surface 34 should be horizontal so that the next drapery canbe reclamped in place. This result is accomplished by the rope 49,mentioned above, and the angle bracket 46. Referring to FIG. 5, when theclamping means 29 is about the position as shown by the full linesbefore it comes to rest on surface 28, the rope 29 becomes taut, therebypreventing the top end of the angle bracket 26 from further dropping.The clamping surface 34 is normal to surface 28. Asthe chain '16 movespad 31 downward, the clamping means 29 has to rotate to a positionindicated by 29a and then by 29b to end up in the position shown by thedash lines 29b adjacent the surface 28, with the clamping surface 34parallel to surface 28.

Having described the preferred embodiment of my invention, one skilledin the art can devise other embodiments without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention after studying the above description,

Therefore, my invention is to be considered limited only to the appendedclaims and not to the above preferred embodiment.

I claim:

1. A layout table for laying out and measuring cloth comprising:

a working table means forming a surface disposed substantiallyhorizontal;

first means for lifting vertically said cloth on one edge thereof sothat said cloth depends to said surface and has a portion resting onsaid surface; and

second means for forming and holding a dihedral angle in said cloth,with one surface of said cloth held in the plane of said surface of saidtable means while the other surface of said angle depends vertically.

2. The table of claim 1 wherein said first means for lifting comprises:

a clamping means for gripping said cloth on said one edge;

a plurality of endless chains disposed along one edge of said workingtable;

an overhead sprocket engaging each chain and disposed above said workingtable;

another sprocket engaging each chain and disposed below said workingtable;

a drive shaft coupled to said sprockets for rotating said sprockets inunison; and

said clamping means being fixed to said chains, to cause said clampingmeans to raise the edge of said cloth horizontally.

3. The table of claim 2 wherein said clamping means comprises:

a box-like elongated member with a flat clamping plate protrudingtherefrom for the length thereof, and shaped so that said clamping plateis capable of lying flat on said horizontal surface;

at least one pressing bar;

third means for supporting said bar over said clamping plate and formoving said bar towards said clamping plate.

4. The table of claim 3 wherein said third means comprises at least twocylinder and piston assemblies, with each cylinder fixed to saidbox-like elongated member, and each piston fixed to said clamping bar.

5. The table of claim 1 wherein said working table means comprises:

a long, narrow, rectangular panel disposed substantially horizontal;

a plurality of rigidly fixed structural uprights disposed and spacedalong one of the longer back edges of said panel;

fourth means for cantilevering supporting said panels from said upright.

6. The table of claim 5 wherein said second means comprises:

at least one keeper rod; and fifth means for supporting said keeper rodto rotate about an axis disposed below said panel and aligned with thelonger edges thereof. 7. The table of claim 6 wherein said fifth meanscomprises:

at least two substantially semicircular bent bars, each end having oneend fixed to said keeper rod; and at least two radial bars, each fixedby one end to the other end of said respective semicircular bent bars.8. The table of claim 1 wherein said working table means comprises along, narrow, rectangular panel disposed substantially horizontal;

a plurality of rigidly fixed channel-shaped structural uprights disposedand spaced along one of the longer back edges;

fourth means for cantilevers supporting said panel from said uprights.

9. The table of claim 8 wherein said first means for lifting comprises:

a clamping means for gripping said cloth on said one edge;

a plurality of endless chains disposed along one edge of said workingtable;

an overhead sprocket engaging each chain and disposed above said workingtable;

another sprocket engaging each chain and disposed below said workingtable;

a drive shaft coupled to each of said other sprockets for rotating saidother sprockets in unison;

said clamping means being fixed to said chains to cause said clampingmeans to raise said edge on said cloth horizontally.

10. The table of claim 9 wherein said clamping means comprises:

a box-like elongated member with a flat clamping plate protrudingtherefrom for the length thereof and shaped so that said clamping plateis capable of lying flat on said working table;

a plurality of pressing bars in alignment with each other;

third means for supporting said bars over said clamps and for movingeach bar independently of the other bars toward said clamping plate.

11. The table of claim 10 wherein said second means comprises:

at least one keeper rod; and

fifth means for supporting said keeper rod to rotate about an axisdisposed below said panel and aligned with the longer edge thereof.

12. The table of claim 11 wherein said fifth means comprises:

at least two substantially semicircular bars, each having one end fixedto said keeper rod and at least two radial bars, each fixed by one endtothe other end of said respective semicircular bars.

13. The table of claim 5 wherein said first means for lifting comprisesa clamping means for gripping said cloth on said one edge;

a plurality of endless chains disposed along one edge of said workingtable;

an overhead sprocket engaging said chains to dispose above said workingtable;

another sprocket engaging each chain and disposed below said workingtable;

a drive shaft coupled to each other sprocket for rotating said othersprocket in unison;

said clamping means being fixed to said chains to cause said clampingmeans to raise said edge of said cloth horizontally.

14. The table of claim 13 wherein said clamping means comprises:

a box-like elongated member with a flat clamping plate protrudingtherefrom for the length thereof, and shaped so that said clamping plateis capable of lying flat on said working table;

a plurality of pressing bars in alignment with each other;

extending the length of said table; and

pivotal means are provided to cause said narrow plate to rotate from aposition parallel to said horizontal surface to a position normalthereto when said clamping means is lifted and to cause said narrowplate to rotate from the normal position to the parallel position whensaid clamping means are lowered to said horizontal surface.

1. A layout table for laying out and measuring cloth comprising: aworking table means forming a surface disposed substantially horizontal;first means for lifting vertically said cloth on one edge thereof sothat said cloth depends to said surface and has a portion resting onsaid surface; and second means for forming and holding a dihedral anglein said cloth, with one surface of said cloth held in the plane of saidsurface of said table means while the other surface of said angledepends vertically.
 2. The table of claim 1 wherein said first means forliftinG comprises: a clamping means for gripping said cloth on said oneedge; a plurality of endless chains disposed along one edge of saidworking table; an overhead sprocket engaging each chain and disposedabove said working table; another sprocket engaging each chain anddisposed below said working table; a drive shaft coupled to saidsprockets for rotating said sprockets in unison; and said clamping meansbeing fixed to said chains, to cause said clamping means to raise theedge of said cloth horizontally.
 3. The table of claim 2 wherein saidclamping means comprises: a box-like elongated member with a flatclamping plate protruding therefrom for the length thereof, and shapedso that said clamping plate is capable of lying flat on said horizontalsurface; at least one pressing bar; third means for supporting said barover said clamping plate and for moving said bar towards said clampingplate.
 4. The table of claim 3 wherein said third means comprises atleast two cylinder and piston assemblies, with each cylinder fixed tosaid box-like elongated member, and each piston fixed to said clampingbar.
 5. The table of claim 1 wherein said working table means comprises:a long, narrow, rectangular panel disposed substantially horizontal; aplurality of rigidly fixed structural uprights disposed and spaced alongone of the longer back edges of said panel; fourth means forcantilevering supporting said panels from said upright.
 6. The table ofclaim 5 wherein said second means comprises: at least one keeper rod;and fifth means for supporting said keeper rod to rotate about an axisdisposed below said panel and aligned with the longer edges thereof. 7.The table of claim 6 wherein said fifth means comprises: at least twosubstantially semicircular bent bars, each end having one end fixed tosaid keeper rod; and at least two radial bars, each fixed by one end tothe other end of said respective semicircular bent bars.
 8. The table ofclaim 1 wherein said working table means comprises a long, narrow,rectangular panel disposed substantially horizontal; a plurality ofrigidly fixed channel-shaped structural uprights disposed and spacedalong one of the longer back edges; fourth means for cantileverssupporting said panel from said uprights.
 9. The table of claim 8wherein said first means for lifting comprises: a clamping means forgripping said cloth on said one edge; a plurality of endless chainsdisposed along one edge of said working table; an overhead sprocketengaging each chain and disposed above said working table; anothersprocket engaging each chain and disposed below said working table; adrive shaft coupled to each of said other sprockets for rotating saidother sprockets in unison; said clamping means being fixed to saidchains to cause said clamping means to raise said edge on said clothhorizontally.
 10. The table of claim 9 wherein said clamping meanscomprises: a box-like elongated member with a flat clamping plateprotruding therefrom for the length thereof and shaped so that saidclamping plate is capable of lying flat on said working table; aplurality of pressing bars in alignment with each other; third means forsupporting said bars over said clamps and for moving each barindependently of the other bars toward said clamping plate.
 11. Thetable of claim 10 wherein said second means comprises: at least onekeeper rod; and fifth means for supporting said keeper rod to rotateabout an axis disposed below said panel and aligned with the longer edgethereof.
 12. The table of claim 11 wherein said fifth means comprises:at least two substantially semicircular bars, each having one end fixedto said keeper rod and at least two radial bars, each fixed by one endto the other end of said respective semicircular bars.
 13. The table ofclaim 5 wherein said first means for lifting comprisEs a clamping meansfor gripping said cloth on said one edge; a plurality of endless chainsdisposed along one edge of said working table; an overhead sprocketengaging said chains to dispose above said working table; anothersprocket engaging each chain and disposed below said working table; adrive shaft coupled to each other sprocket for rotating said othersprocket in unison; said clamping means being fixed to said chains tocause said clamping means to raise said edge of said cloth horizontally.14. The table of claim 13 wherein said clamping means comprises: abox-like elongated member with a flat clamping plate protrudingtherefrom for the length thereof, and shaped so that said clamping plateis capable of lying flat on said working table; a plurality of pressingbars in alignment with each other; third means for supporting said barsover said clamping plate and for moving each bar independently of theother bars toward said clamping plate.
 15. The table of claim 14 whereinsaid third means comprises at least two cylinder and piston assembles,with each cylinder fixed to said box-like elongated member, and eachpiston fixed to a respective clamping bar.
 16. The table of claim 2wherein: said clamping means has a flat clamping narrow plate extendingthe length of said table; and pivotal means are provided to cause saidnarrow plate to rotate from a position parallel to said horizontalsurface to a position normal thereto when said clamping means is liftedand to cause said narrow plate to rotate from the normal position to theparallel position when said clamping means are lowered to saidhorizontal surface.